FDI net inflows rise to $590M in February — BSP

Foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows into the Philippines rebounded in February after hitting a four-month low in January, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Monday showed.

FDI net inflows stood at $590 million (around P33 billion) in February, higher than the $443 million (about P24.8 billion) recorded in January, but lower than the $855 million (around P47.9 billion) posted in the same month last year.

FDI data cover investments by foreign investors in Philippine companies in which they own at least a 10% stake, including funds from overseas affiliates to their Philippine parent firms.

Net equity capital rose to $101 million (about P5.7 billion) from $70 million (around P3.9 billion) in January, while reinvestment of earnings increased to $75 million (about P4.2 billion) from $53 million (around P3 billion).

Equity capital placements mainly came from Japan, the United States, and Singapore, and were channeled mostly into the manufacturing, financial and insurance, and real estate industries.

Meanwhile, net debt instruments reached $414 million (around P23.2 billion) in February, up from $320 million (about P17.9 billion) in January, but lower than the $680 million (around P38.1 billion) recorded a year earlier.—MCG, GMA News